Brown Mama Bear

Brown Mama Bear is a place for parents to get support, input and encouragement to combat the negative effects our racialized society has on kids. Learn ways to help your child navigate negative stereotyping, low expectations and micro-aggressions, among other things, that can damage self-esteem. Come on the journey, join the movement, raise well-adjusted black and brown kids.

Episode 202: The Real HBCU Advantage: More Than Homecoming 10/20/2026

Episode 202: The Real HBCU Advantage: More Than Homecoming What if the greatest advantage of attending an HBCU has nothing to do with Homecoming? Every October, HBCU culture takes center stage. The bands, the step shows, the reunions, and the unmistakable energy of Homecoming remind us why Historically Black Colleges and Universities hold such a special place in Black culture. And with renewed attention on A Different World, there's even more excitement surrounding the Black college experience. But what happens inside the classrooms—and within the campus community—are even more important than what happens on the Yard. In this solo episode of Brown Mama Bear, host Shanera Williamson shares her Top 3 Advantages of an HBCU Education, drawing on her experiences as a Howard University graduate, a mother who has raised an HBCU alumna, and a parent coach who encourages families to explore all their educational options. After spending her childhood attending predominantly white suburban schools, Shanera arrived at Howard University and discovered an educational environment that challenged her academically, surrounded her with extraordinary students, and placed Black history, culture, and achievement at the center of the learning experience. That experience shaped far more than her college years. It influenced her confidence, her worldview, her lifelong relationships, and eventually the way she approached educational decisions for her own daughters. In this episode, Shanera explores three advantages that make HBCUs worthy of serious consideration: the quality of the education, the caliber of the students, and the transformative experience of learning in an environment where Black identity and culture are celebrated. She also challenges parents to question assumptions about HBCU academic rigor—especially when those assumptions come from people who have never set foot on an HBCU campus. This isn't an argument that every Black student must attend an HBCU. It's an invitation to look beyond stereotypes and social media narratives to consider what kind of college environment will help your child thrive. Whether you're raising a future college student, considering an HBCU for yourself, or reflecting on your own Black college experience, this conversation will give you a new perspective on what an HBCU education can offer. The real HBCU advantage isn't just what makes graduates excited to return for Homecoming. It's what happens during those college years that makes them want to come home for a lifetime. 🎧 Listen, share, and join the Brown Mama Bear conversation about raising confident, capable Black children and helping them find educational environments where they can flourish. Book cited: We Are Worth Fighting For: A History of the Howard University Student Protest of 1989 by Howard Professor Joshua M. Myers /episode/index/show/brownmamabear/id/43360564

Episode 201: Finding Scholarships & Helping Black Students Thrive with Steph Jones 10/13/2026

Episode 201: Finding Scholarships & Helping Black Students Thrive with Steph Jones What if helping our children succeed in school starts with making sure they believe they belong there? In this episode of Brown Mama Bear, host Shanera Williamson sits down with Steph Jones, better known as The Scholarship Bestie, to talk about what Black children need to thrive in school—and how families can find the financial resources to help them pursue their college dreams. With more than 20 years of experience as an educator, Steph brings a unique perspective to the conversation. She's not just helping students find scholarships. She's thinking deeply about how schools shape children's confidence, how discipline can affect their sense of belonging, and why encouragement matters. We discuss the reality that Black students often face harsher discipline than their peers and how the fear of punishment can influence the way children see themselves as learners. Steph also shares her experience pursuing graduate studies in education policy through an HBCU and how her passion for education led her to become The Scholarship Bestie, helping families discover scholarships and navigate the cost of college. In this episode, we explore: Why encouragement and belonging are essential to Black children's academic success How school discipline can influence students' confidence and identity What parents should understand about creating supportive learning environments The importance of HBCUs and education policy How families can find scholarships and make college more affordable Why preparing our children for college involves more than grades and test scores Whether you're raising a young child or preparing a teenager for college, this conversation will help you think differently about educational success and the opportunities available to your family. Connect with Steph Jones, The Scholarship Bestie: the_scholarship_bestie Apple/Spotify: What happens when Black children begin to see school as a place where they're more likely to be disciplined than encouraged? And how can parents help them build the confidence and access the opportunities they deserve? In this episode of Brown Mama Bear, Shanera Williamson welcomes Steph Jones, known online as The Scholarship Bestie. A veteran educator with more than 20 years of experience, Steph has made it her mission to help students and families navigate scholarships, financial aid, and the journey to college. But her work is about more than finding money for school. Shanera and Steph discuss the ways educational environments shape Black children's sense of belonging and academic identity. They explore how disproportionate discipline can affect students' confidence, why encouragement matters, and what it means to create learning environments where Black children can flourish. Steph also shares her experience pursuing graduate studies in education policy at an HBCU and how she turned her passion for helping students into a platform that connects families with scholarship opportunities. This conversation is a reminder that preparing our children for success means nurturing both their belief in themselves and their access to opportunity. Connect with The Scholarship Bestie: /episode/index/show/brownmamabear/id/43267698